Environmentally benign chitosan as precursor and reductant for synthesis of Ag/AgCl/N-doped carbon composite photocatalysts and their photocatalytic degradation performance

摘要

In this study, we reported a novel Ag/AgCl loaded N-doped carbon composite photocatalyst (Ag/AgCl/NC) which was fabricated by a facile and green method. The composite was prepared only by two simple steps. Firstly, the Ag/N-doped carbon (Ag/NC) was prepared by one-step hydrothermal treatment; during this progress the environmentally benign and renewable natural chitosan was used as not only reducer and stabilizer, but also as a nitrogen source and carbon source. Secondly, Ag/AgCl/NC composite was synthesized via in situ oxidation reaction by adding FeCl3. The Ag/AgCl/NC composite was characterized using X-ray diffraction, transmission electronic microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectra, UV-visible diffused reflectance spectra, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and nitrogen adsorption-desorption measurements, respectively. The obtained Ag/AgCl/NC composite exhibited a superior photocatalytic activity and stability for the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) under visible light irradiation.